Texas Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist license renewal and CE requirements
Texas nurse anesthetists must complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Texas Board of Nursing.
A Texas license always expires on the last day of the nurse's birth month, in odd numbered years if the nurse was born in an odd numbered year and in even numbered years if the nurse was born in an even numbered year. The timely renewal application opens in the Texas Nurse Portal on the first day of the month before the expiration month and stays available until the expiration date. An initial license runs 6 to 29 months before the first renewal, after which every licensing period is two years. Texas does not take part in any APRN licensure compact, so a nurse anesthetist practicing in Texas must hold an active Texas APRN license.
Summary
Texas nurse anesthetists must complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Texas Board of Nursing. A Texas license always expires on the last day of the nurse's birth month, in odd numbered years if the nurse was born in an odd numbered year and in even numbered years if the nurse was born in an even numbered year. The timely renewal application opens in the Texas Nurse Portal on the first day of the month before the expiration month and stays available until the expiration date. An initial license runs 6 to 29 months before the first renewal, after which every licensing period is two years. Texas does not take part in any APRN licensure compact, so a nurse anesthetist practicing in Texas must hold an active Texas APRN license. Texas also mandates specific subjects. Nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics: 2 contact hours on a periodic schedule set by the board (all nurses, including nurse anesthetists). Human trafficking prevention: required every renewal cycle (nurses who provide direct patient care). Older adult or geriatric care: 2 contact hours every renewal cycle (nurses whose practice includes older adult or geriatric populations). Forensic evidence collection: a one-time requirement of 2 contact hours (nurses employed in an emergency room setting, including any nurse who could float to or be scheduled in an emergency room, and any nurse who performs a forensic examination on a sexual assault survivor). Pharmacotherapeutics: 5 contact hours every renewal cycle (nurse anesthetists who hold prescriptive authority). Safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances: 4 contact hours every renewal cycle (nurse anesthetists who have entered into a prescriptive authority agreement authorizing the prescribing of opioids). Approved procedures of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances, for Prescription Monitoring Program access: a one-time requirement of 2 contact hours (nurse anesthetists authorized to receive information from the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program). Hours do not carry over between cycles and the first renewal is exempt.
Texas Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist renewal and continuing education rules
"Not stated" means the board's pages and rules we read do not address it. We do not fill in typical values.
| Renewal cycle | Two-year (24 months) |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | Tied to the licensee's birth monthFirst renewal is prorated. |
| Continuing education required | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 20 contact hours |
| Self-study or online cap | No cap stated |
| Carryover to next cycle | No |
| First renewal exempt | Yes |
| Other accepted activities | Achievement, maintenance, or renewal of a Board-approved national nursing certification in the nurse's area of practice, in place of the 20 contact hours; Academic courses, converted at 10 contact hours per academic quarter hour and 15 contact hours per academic semester hour (Board Rule 216.5(a)); Development or presentation of a program approved by a Board-recognized credentialing agency, credited one to one (Board Rule 216.5(b)); Authorship of a published nursing or health care manuscript, credited at 1 contact hour per distinct publication (Board Rule 216.5(c)) |
Texas applies one continuing competency rule to every nurse and then adds targeted requirements on top. For each licensure renewal Board Rule 216.3 requires a nurse either to complete 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education in the nurse's area of practice within the licensing period, or to demonstrate the achievement, maintenance or renewal of a Board approved national nursing certification in the nurse's area of practice. The board states in terms that the 20 contact hours for advanced practice registered nurses are not in addition to the 20 required for registered nurse renewal: meeting the requirement once satisfies both the RN license and the APRN license. Nurse anesthetist is one of the roles Texas licenses at the advanced practice level, and the board's APRN application page lists Nurse Anesthetist alongside Nurse-Midwife, Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists is on the board's list of recognized credentialing agencies and providers of continuing nursing education. Hours must be earned inside the two year licensing period and additional hours may not be carried over. APRNs may use Category I continuing medical education for every requirement except the nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics hours, which must be nursing continuing education. A nurse anesthetist who holds prescriptive authority owes 5 additional contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics above the 20; a nurse anesthetist without prescriptive authority does not, and Texas treats prescriptive authority as a separate application and fee. Basic Life Support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses do not count toward the requirement. Beginning September 1, 2026 nurses must document compliance through the continuing education module in the Texas Nurse Portal before submitting a renewal or reactivation application.
Required CE topics for Texas certified registered nurse anesthetists
State-specific subject mandates. Where a mandate applies only to some licensees, the scope is listed.
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Applies to | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethicsAt least 2 contact hours before the end of every third two year licensing period, applicable to licensing periods that began on or after January 1, 2014. Content must cover the Texas Nursing Practice Act, the board's rules including 217.11 Standards of Nursing Practice, the board's position statements, principles of nursing ethics and professional boundaries. The hours count toward the 20. Certification may not be used to fulfill it, and an APRN may not use continuing medical education for it. | 2 contact hours | Periodic | All nurses, including nurse anesthetists | Board Rule 216.3(g) |
| Human trafficking preventionA human trafficking prevention course approved by the Executive Director of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, covering identifying and assisting victims, before the end of every licensing period, applicable to renewals on or after September 1, 2020. The board states no contact hour figure for this course, so hours is left null. Contact hours completed may count toward the 20. Certification may not be used; an HHSC approved course must be completed, and an APRN may use Category I continuing medical education from an approved course. | Not stated | Every renewal | Nurses who provide direct patient care | Board Rule 216.3(i) |
| Older adult or geriatric careAt least 2 contact hours relating to older adult or geriatric populations before the end of every licensing period, applicable to licensing periods that began on or after January 1, 2014. Content may cover elder abuse, age related memory changes and disease processes including chronic conditions, end of life issues, health maintenance and health promotion. The hours count toward the 20, a Board approved certification related to older adult or geriatric populations may be used to fulfill it, and an APRN may use Category I continuing medical education. | 2 contact hours | Every renewal | Nurses whose practice includes older adult or geriatric populations | Board Rule 216.3(h) |
| Forensic evidence collectionAt least 2 contact hours relevant to forensic evidence collection and age or population specific nursing interventions meeting Government Code 420.031, a one time requirement within two years of the initial date of employment in an emergency room setting. This is the only targeted requirement that is not waived at first renewal. Records of completion must be kept indefinitely, even after changing employers. The hours count toward the 20, a Board approved certification related to forensic evidence collection may be used, and an APRN may use continuing medical education in forensic evidence collection approved by the Texas Medical Board. | 2 contact hours | One time | Nurses employed in an emergency room setting, including any nurse who could float to or be scheduled in an emergency room, and any nurse who performs a forensic examination on a sexual assault survivor | Board Rule 216.3(d) |
| PharmacotherapeuticsAt least 5 additional contact hours of continuing education in pharmacotherapeutics before the end of every licensing period. The board states these are above and beyond the 20 hours required for all nurses. Certification may not be used to fulfill it; Category I continuing medical education may be. | 5 contact hours | Every renewal | Nurse anesthetists who hold prescriptive authority | Board Rule 216.3(c)(3) |
| Safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substancesNot less than 2 hours annually, meaning 4 hours every licensing period, covering reasonable standards of care, identification of drug seeking behavior in patients, and effective communication with patients about a prescription for an opioid or other controlled substance. Applicable to renewals on or after January 1, 2021, following House Bill 2454 of 2019. The hours count toward the 20. Certification may not be used; Category I continuing medical education may be. | 4 contact hours | Every renewal | Nurse anesthetists who have entered into a prescriptive authority agreement authorizing the prescribing of opioids | Board Rule 216.3(c)(4) |
| Approved procedures of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances, for Prescription Monitoring Program access2 hours of continuing education related to approved procedures of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances. An APRN licensed before September 1, 2020 had to complete it no later than September 1, 2021; an APRN licensed after September 1, 2020 completes it no later than one year after initial licensure. The board describes it as a time limited requirement. The hours count toward the 20. Certification may not be used; Category I continuing medical education may be. | 2 contact hours | One time | Nurse anesthetists authorized to receive information from the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program | Board Rule 216.3(c)(6) |
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | No, attestation only |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | 6 years |
| Board audits compliance | Yes |
| Approved providers | Continuing nursing education must be approved by a credentialing agency or provider recognized by the board. The board's list includes the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, colleges and universities in the United States, the Emergency Nurses Association, NAPNES, NALPN, NAPNAP, the National League for Nursing, other state boards of nursing, and the Texas League of Vocational Nurses, plus programs approved by those umbrella organizations. |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a Texas CRNA need to renew?
- Texas nurse anesthetists must complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license with the Texas Board of Nursing. Texas applies one continuing competency rule to every nurse and then adds targeted requirements on top. For each licensure renewal Board Rule 216.3 requires a nurse either to complete 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education in the nurse's area of practice within the licensing period, or to demonstrate the achievement, maintenance or renewal of a Board approved national nursing certification in the nurse's area of practice. The board states in terms that the 20 contact hours for advanced practice registered nurses are not in addition to the 20 required for registered nurse renewal: meeting the requirement once satisfies both the RN license and the APRN license. Nurse anesthetist is one of the roles Texas licenses at the advanced practice level, and the board's APRN application page lists Nurse Anesthetist alongside Nurse-Midwife, Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists is on the board's list of recognized credentialing agencies and providers of continuing nursing education. Hours must be earned inside the two year licensing period and additional hours may not be carried over. APRNs may use Category I continuing medical education for every requirement except the nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics hours, which must be nursing continuing education. A nurse anesthetist who holds prescriptive authority owes 5 additional contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics above the 20; a nurse anesthetist without prescriptive authority does not, and Texas treats prescriptive authority as a separate application and fee. Basic Life Support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses do not count toward the requirement. Beginning September 1, 2026 nurses must document compliance through the continuing education module in the Texas Nurse Portal before submitting a renewal or reactivation application.
- How often does a Texas CRNA license need to be renewed?
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist licenses in Texas renew every two years. A Texas license always expires on the last day of the nurse's birth month, in odd numbered years if the nurse was born in an odd numbered year and in even numbered years if the nurse was born in an even numbered year. The timely renewal application opens in the Texas Nurse Portal on the first day of the month before the expiration month and stays available until the expiration date. An initial license runs 6 to 29 months before the first renewal, after which every licensing period is two years. Texas does not take part in any APRN licensure compact, so a nurse anesthetist practicing in Texas must hold an active Texas APRN license.
- What specific CE topics are required for Texas nurse anesthetists?
- Nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics: 2 contact hours on a periodic schedule set by the board (all nurses, including nurse anesthetists). Human trafficking prevention: required every renewal cycle (nurses who provide direct patient care). Older adult or geriatric care: 2 contact hours every renewal cycle (nurses whose practice includes older adult or geriatric populations). Forensic evidence collection: a one-time requirement of 2 contact hours (nurses employed in an emergency room setting, including any nurse who could float to or be scheduled in an emergency room, and any nurse who performs a forensic examination on a sexual assault survivor). Pharmacotherapeutics: 5 contact hours every renewal cycle (nurse anesthetists who hold prescriptive authority). Safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances: 4 contact hours every renewal cycle (nurse anesthetists who have entered into a prescriptive authority agreement authorizing the prescribing of opioids). Approved procedures of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances, for Prescription Monitoring Program access: a one-time requirement of 2 contact hours (nurse anesthetists authorized to receive information from the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program). Citations: nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics (Board Rule 216.3(g)), human trafficking prevention (Board Rule 216.3(i)), older adult or geriatric care (Board Rule 216.3(h)), forensic evidence collection (Board Rule 216.3(d)), pharmacotherapeutics (Board Rule 216.3(c)(3)), safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances (Board Rule 216.3(c)(4)), and approved procedures of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances, for Prescription Monitoring Program access (Board Rule 216.3(c)(6)).
- Do Texas nurse anesthetists have to submit CE certificates at renewal?
- Licensees attest to completion at renewal rather than submitting certificates, the board audits a sample of renewals and asks for documentation, and records must be kept for 6 years. Continuing nursing education must be approved by a credentialing agency or provider recognized by the board. The board's list includes the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, colleges and universities in the United States, the Emergency Nurses Association, NAPNES, NALPN, NAPNAP, the National League for Nursing, other state boards of nursing, and the Texas League of Vocational Nurses, plus programs approved by those umbrella organizations.
- Is the first Texas CRNA renewal exempt from CE?
- Yes. Texas does not require continuing education for a CRNA's first renewal.
Sources
Last verified September 8, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- Education, Continuing Nursing Education and Competency, Texas Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 8, 2026
- Licensure Renewal Information, Texas Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 8, 2026
- Application Forms, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Texas Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 8, 2026
Texas runs one shared continuing competency rule, Board Rule 216, across every level of licensure, and the board says so plainly, so the nurse anesthetist requirement is the shared advanced practice rule rather than a role specific one. What separates the roles is the targeted list: the pharmacotherapeutics, opioid and Prescription Monitoring Program items are scoped to prescriptive authority and to a prescriptive authority agreement, which many nurse anesthetists do not hold, so applies_to carries the real scope rather than inheriting the nurse practitioner assumption. The board's APRN application page was read to confirm that Nurse Anesthetist is one of the roles in which Texas issues an APRN license, and that page also shows prescriptive authority as an optional add on with its own fee, 150 dollars against 100 dollars for licensure alone. Every value here was read on bon.texas.gov, the board's own site. The birth month and odd or even birth year rule was read in the board's worked examples and again in the license renewal section. Continuing education requirements are waived for a nurse's first renewal when it is timely or within 90 days after expiration, with the single exception of the forensic evidence collection requirement, which is why exempt_first_renewal is true and that topic is flagged. Retention is recorded as 6 years because the board requires records for a minimum of three consecutive licensing periods or six years, with the forensic evidence collection record kept indefinitely. Nurses do not submit documentation unless audited, so proof_at_renewal is false, though from September 1, 2026 compliance must be recorded in the Texas Nurse Portal continuing education module before the renewal application is submitted. The board selects a random sample of nurses 90 days before each renewal month and runs the audit through an online portal. The topic keys pharmacology and forensic_evidence_collection are not on the canonical list and are used because no canonical key fits; geriatrics, jurisprudence, human_trafficking, opioid_prescribing and controlled_substances are canonical or close variants already used elsewhere in this dataset. The Texas Administrative Code text of Rule 216 was not read directly: the Secretary of State's old readtac address now returns only a notice that the site has moved, so every figure here comes from the board's own restatement of its rules with the rule numbers it cites.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the Texas Board of Nursing before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.